Traffic control system and bidirectional sign therefor

ABSTRACT

A traffic control system including many electrically controlled turnstiles for selectively permitting persons to pass through in a first direction or a second direction, and for selectively preventing persons from passing through. A control unit remote from the turnstiles is electrically connected to each of the turnstiles and is capable of enabling one or more of the turnstiles to be used for entrance or egress, or for being blocked. A bidirectional light sign connected to each turnstile indicates the instantaneous purpose and capability of that turnstile. The entire system operates from a main electric power source. An auxiliary power source automatically operates the entire system when a malfunction or failure takes place in the main power source.

United States Patent [15] 3,681,751 Le Barre [451 Aug. 1, 1972 [54] TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS BIDIRECTIONAL SIGN THEREFOR Inventor: Stuart David Le Barre, 14021 W.

Lincoln, Oak Park, Mich. 48237 Filed: on. 13, 1969 Appl. No.: 865,598

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,386,202 6/1968 Crews et al. ..49/35 2,672,393 3/1954 Cooper ..340/39 X 3,200,371 8/1965 Olsen ..340/84 Pages 374- 377 of the Railway Gazette, Vol. 125, No. 10, May 16, 1969.

Primary Examiner-William C. Cooper Attorneylrving M. Weiner [5 7] ABSTRACT A traffic control system including many electrically controlled turnstiles for selectively permitting persons to pass through in a first direction or a second direction, and for selectively preventing persons from passing through. A control unit remote from the turnstiles is electrically connected to each of the turnstiles and is capable of enabling one or more of the turnstiles to be used for entrance or egress, or for being blocked. A bidirectional'light sign connected to each turnstile indicates the instantaneous purpose and capability of that turnstile. The entire system operates from a main electric power source. An auxiliary power source automatically operates the entire system when a malfunction or failure takes place in the main power source.

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3.681,?51 SHEET 2 BF2 PATENWDMIB' 1 m2 ATTORNEY TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM AND BIDIRECTIONAL SIGN THEREFOR The present invention relates to a trafi'ic control system, and in particular relates to a pedestrian traffic electric turnstile control system and an electric bidirectional sign for facilitating the flow of traffic.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many facilities and places, especially public places such as stadiums, bus and train terminals, race tracks, museums and sports arenas, employ dozens of mechanical turnstiles each of which is under the control of a separate attendant. The attendant accepts the admission fee from the entering customer, and thereupon actuates the turnstile to permit the customer to enter the facility involved. The mechanical turnstile is normally in a locked position, and is actuated by the attendant by use of a foot lever to permit the turnstile to allow one person to pass therethrough. Because the mechanical turnstile is usually unidirectional, the facility must provide separate turnstiles for entrance purpose, and other separate turnstiles for exit purposes.

Oftimes, the attendant will fail to turn in all of the collected admission fees to the management, and will report that a lesser number of persons passed through his turnstile than the true number. This unfortunate situation prompted the use of a totalizing counter being installed in the mechanical turnstile to keep an accurate count of each time the turnstile rotates to admit one person. The resourceful, but dishonest, attendant overcame the total counter safeguard by permitting the mechanical turnstile to rotate only partially to a position where several persons would slip by the turnstile before the turnstile completed its single rotary operation. Consequently, the attendant would account to management for only one person passing through during the mentioned procedure, whereas the attendant actually permitted several persons to pass through the turnstile during a complete rotation thereof and the attendant pocketed the admission fees for all such persons less one.

The present invention solves the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior mechanical turnstile systems by providing a fool proof electric turnstile control system which: permits management to keep an accurate check of the performance and honesty of each turnstile attendant; permits each turnstile to be used in either direction and in a locked position; may provide a bidirectional light sign associated with each turnstile to facilitate traffic flow and control by clearly indicating the instantaneous or prevailing purpose and capability of that associated turnstile; provides a direct current power source to operate the entire system in case of power failure of the main alternating current power source; provides a means for obtaining selective counts of particular turnstile use during predetermined time periods; and provides means for selective surveillance of turnstile attendants.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The term object as used in this specification and attendant claims is intended to mean any animate or inanimate person or thing that can be seen or touched or which is capable of moving, such as pedestrians, vehicles, animals, movable articles, etc.

The present invention provides a traffic control system comprising first means, such as an electrically operated and controlled turnstile, for selectively permitting objects to move therethrough in a first direction or to move therethrough in a second direction, and for selectively preventing objects from moving therethrough. The system also includes second means, such as a controller unit under the operation of management personnel, remote from the first means and being operatively connected to the first means. The second means is selectively settable in any of a plurality of different predetermined positions, such as an IN" position, and OUT position, and a LOCK position, which control and determine whether or not the first means will be enabled to permit the objects to move therethrough in the first direction, or in the second direction, or to prevent the objects from moving through the first means.

The present invention also provides an electric bidirectional sign for facilitating traffic control, especially in conjunction with the first means, such as an electrically controlled gate, barrier or turnstile, which is capable of being used for entrance to or egress from a facility, or being closed to such entrance or egress. The electric bidirectional sign has a first surface facing away from the facility and a second surface facing toward the facility. The first surface has at least three sections, one section of which is adapted to indicate the instantaneous entrance capability of the first means, one section of which is adapted to indicate the instantaneous egress capability of the first means, and one section of which is adapted to indicate the closed or locked condition of the first means. The second surface also has at least three sections, one of which is adapted to indicate the instantaneous entrance capability of the first means, one of which sections is adapted to indicate the egress capability of the first means, and one of which sections is adapted to indicate the closed or locked condition of the first means. The electric bidirectional sign also includes second means for electrically energizing one section of the first surface and simultaneously electrically energizing one section of the second surface to facilitate traffic control to or from the facility with respect to the first means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of one possible embodiment of the traffic control system and the electric bidirectional sign for use therewith in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed electrical schematic drawing and wiring diagram for the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT vantages are obtained by using the principles of the present invention in facilities using a large number of turnstiles, only one turnstile has been illustrated and will be described hereinafter to facilitate easy and clear illustration and description of the invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, but with particular reference to FIG. 1, the inventive system may operate on 24-volt D.C. power which is normally obtained by rectifying the alternating current obtained from a conventional A.C. power line or main power source 1. The main power A.C. source 1 is connected to a power supply unit 2 wherein the A.C. power is full wave rectified to provide the 24-volt D.C. power to operate the entire traffic control system.

While the main power A.C. source 1 and power supply unit 2 are providing the normal 24-volt D.C. power to operate the system, the power supply unit 2 also provides appropriate charging current to a 24-volt D.C. battery 3, which will automatically provide the required 24-volt D.C. power to operate the entire traffic control system in the event of a power failure or other malfunction of the main power source 1. Consequently, during a power failure or other malfunction, the turnstile 4, its associated electric bidirectional light sign 5, and all other elements of the traffic control system will perform as normal.

The power supply unit 2 includes an A.C. main power toggle switch Tl which permits the A.C. power to enter the system in one switch position 6, and shuts ofi the system from the A.C. power in the other position 7. The power supply unit 2 also includes a fuse 8 in the main power A.C. line 1. If the fuse 8 should blow, the 24-volt D.C. battery 3 will automatically take over to supply the requisite power for the entire control system. This feature of the invention affords obvious advantages in view of electrical storms, hurricanes, and the like. If the main A.C. power should fail, a red light R1 provided in the power supply unit 2 will be turned on as a visual alarm and simultaneously a buzzer 9 will sound as an audible alarm.

The mentioned visual and audible alarm condition will be explained with reference to FIG. 2. The A.C. power switch T1 in the A.C. power line has one of its terminals 6 connected to one terminal of a primary winding 10 of the main power transformer 11. The

other terminal 12 of the primary winding 10 is connected to a charge rate control 13, which in turn is connected to the fuse 8. The secondary winding 14 of the main power transformer 1 l feeds the full wave rectifier consisting of the conventionally arranged rectifiers l5, 16, 17, and 18, respectively. A 4,000-microfarad capacitor 19 is connected across the optic of the full wave rectifier. Terminal 20 of the capacitor 19 is connected to one terminal of a charge rate meter 21. The other terminal of the charge rate meter 21 is connected to the positive terminal 22 of the auxiliary power source or battery 3. A D.C. line voltage meter 23 is connected between positive terminal 22 and ground.

With reference to FIG. 2, an A.C. power OFF I relay 37 in parallel with a capacitor 38 and in series with a diode 39 is connected across the secondary winding 14 of transformer 11. When A.C. power is flowing normally in the secondary winding 14, a cur rent flows through the A.C. power OFP relay 37 which attracts the relay armature or clapper 43 to the relay coil 37. With the relay armature or clapper 43 attracted to the relay 37 the circuit containing the A.C. power OFF lamp and the buzzer 9 is not completed. If for some reason, such as a power failure, A.C. current fails to go through the secondary winding 14 then the current will also be lacking through the A.C. power OFF" relay 37 and the armature or clapper 43 will revert to its upper position as shown in FIG. 2 thereby completing the circuit for the A.C. power OFF light and the buzzer 9. The audible alarm buzzer 9 can be stopped by merely opening the buzzer toggle switch T5. However, the A.C. power OFF light will remain on until normal A.C. current flows through the relay 37.

The power supply unit 2 includes a battery charger and a power control panel 45. The panel 45 includes three meters 21, 23, and 41. The first meter 21 indicates the charging rate of the battery 3 which is being charged. For the particular 20-volt D.C. system illustrated in the drawings, a charge rate meter 21 having a capacity of 5 amperes is sufficient. The second meter 23 indicates the D.C. line voltage. The third meter 41 is a load rate meter. The power supply unit 2 also includes a green light G1 which is lighted when D.C.

power is being supplied to the system, regardless of whether or not A.C. power is being supplied to the power supply unit 2.

The conductor 45 conveys the D.C. power to a controller unit 25 and a communication unit 29, which is shown in FIG. 2 but not in FIG. 1 and will be describe in detail hereinafter.

The 24-volt D.C. line conductor 45 from the power supply unit 2 is connected to a plurality of controller units 25 each of which is associated with a predetermined individual tumstile 4. As previously mentioned, only one such control unit 25 is shown in the drawings with its associated turnstile 4. The D.C. power is brought into the control unit 25 through a 2 ampere fuse 47. From the fuse 47 the power is brought to the center post of a ganged three-position operation selector switch S2. The operation selector switch S2 is a four-pole three-position switchwhich may be locked in each of the three positions. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper position for each pole is the OUT position, the middle position for each pole is the IN position, and the lower position for each pole is the LOCK position. The operation selector switch S2 is shown in its IN position which would permit the turnstile 4 to be operated in a fashion to permit persons to enter the facility.

When the operation selector switch S2 is placed in the OUT or upper position, the associated turnstile 4 may be used for exit purposes. When the operation selector switch S2 is set in its LOCK or lower position, the associated turnstile 4 is locked and prevented from rotating or moving in either direction. Thus, the management of the facility can readily and selectively place any turnstile in any of the three mentioned conditions or capabilities to accomodate the anticipated traf-' fic flow. This results in utilizing the available turnstiles in the most efficient manner without having any turnstiles standing by idly while other turnstiles in the facility are being overworked or overcrowded. This is accomplished in part by converting the mechanical turnstile to be operated electrically by an IN solenoid 49 and an OUT solenoid 51 both of which are in the turnstile 4 and will be described in detail hereinafter. The present invention thereby increases the flexibility and use of each turnstile 4.

When the operation selector switch S2 is in the IN position, as shown in FIG. 2, a green light G2 on the panel 53 of the controller unit 25 is lighted. The DC. current flows through the fuse 47, through the pole of the switch S2, through the center IN position of switch S2, through the IN line 54, the green light G2, the resistor 55 and then to the ground line 57.

The dashed line 59in FIG. I is intended to show that the power supply unit 2, the controller unit 25 and the communication unit 29 can all be housed in a single facility, such as the managers office, which may be a considerable distance, such as 1,500 feet, away from the operator unit 27, the foot switch 31, the turnstile 4 and the bidirectional light sign 5.

With reference to FIG. 2, it will be noted that the IN line 24 in operator unit 27 is broken at a point which may be bridged by the foot lever 31. When the turnstile attendant collects the proper admission fee, he will actuate the foot lever 31 which will bridge the gap in line 54 to permit DC. current to flow into the turnstile 4 through the IN solenoid 49 and then through a parallel combination of a capacitor 83 and E drop resistor 85 and a resistor showing switch 87. This serves to permit the turnstile to be operated in the IN direction.

With reference to the control unit 25 shown in FIG. 2, it should be noted that one of the poles of the threeposition operation selector switch S2 brings D.C. current through its IN position to a conductor 92. The conductor 92 is connected to one terminal of a fold capacitor 93, one terminal of a PASS signal relay, and one terminal of a timer relay 95. The relay clappers and contacts controlled by the PASS signal relay 94 are shown immediately above relay in FIG. 2. The timer relay 95 is connected to a timer control rheostat 96. There is also provided the controller unit 25, a buzzer 97, a buzzer switch 98, a PASS reset switch 99, a counter 35, a counter pulse relay 24, and a communication patch jack 26.

The communication unit 29 includes a patch jack 30, a loudspeaker-microphone 32, and an amplifier 34. There is also provided a five-pole three-position switch 36. As geared in FIG. 2, each pole of the switch 36 is associated with three positions. The left position is the OFF position, the middle position is the LISTEN position, and the right position is the TALK position. The switch 36 is of the type that it will automatically spring back to the center LISTEN, position from the TALK position.

The operator unit 27 includes a loudspeakermicrophone 28, a phone jack 33, a foot switch 31, and IN relay 61, and OUT relay 62, a 4,000 microfarad capacitor 63, a l-ampere fuse 65,. a relay clapper 79 associated with the IN relay 6], a relay clapper 81 associated with the OUT relay 62, an IN lamp G3, an OUT lamp A3, and a PASS" lamp R3.

With reference to FIGS. I and 2, the trafiic direction light or bidirectional light sign 5 may have one major surface facing away from the facility which is divided into three sections, viz, a first section 67 designated OPEN, a second section 69 designated EXIT, and

a third section 71 designated CLOSED." The sign 5 may also have a second major surface facing inside the facility which is also divided into three sections, viz, a first section 73 designated IN ONLY," a second section 75 designated EXIT and a third section 77 designated CLOSED.

When the operation selector switch S2 is in the LOCK position, the inside and outside light sign sections 77 and 71 are automatically lit up to indicate persons inside and outside the facility that the associated particular turnstile 4 is closed or locked.

When the operation selector switch S2 is in the IN" position, then the green lights or IN lamps G2 and G3 would be lit up and the light sign sections 67 designated OPEN and the section 73 designated IN ONLY would also be lit up. This would indicate to persons outside the facility that that particular turnstile is open for entrance purposes only, and simultaneously indicate to persons already inside the facility that that turnstile is being used for entering in purposes only.

When the operation selector switch S2 is in the OUT position, then the amber lights or OUT lamps A2 and A3 would also be on, and the light sign sections 69 and 75 both designated EXIT would also be lit up. This would indicate to persons inside and outside the facility that the associated particular turnstile 4 is being used for exit purposes only.

Other designations may be substituted in the sign section 67 designated OPEN. For example, such substitutions may include FREE, or LADIES Day, or PASSES, etc.

As indicated above, the control unit 25 is provided with an alarm buzzer and a PASS lamp or red alarm light R2. If a dishonest turnstile attendant attempts to exceed the normal time for a turnstile 4 to admit a single customer, then unbeknownst to the turnstile attendant, the alarm buzzer 97 and the red alarm light R2 are actuated to immediately alert the management that something is wrong. It should be borne in mind that the controller unit 25 is quite remote from the turnstile 4 and the turnstile attendant. This alarm arrangement is accomplished by means of the timer relay 95, the timer control rheostat 96, and its associated circuitry. The management can readily inactivate the audible alarm or buzzer 97 by merely opening the buzzer switch 98, but this does not shut off the associated red alarm light R2. When such an alarm condition occurs, the management, if it wishes, can insert a microphone into the communication patch jack 27 provided in the controller. unit 25 which is connected to the loudspeakermicrophone 28 in the operator unit 27 which is in the vicinity of the turnstile attendant. With this circuitry and arrangement, the management can then announce to the turnstile attendant that his turnstile is now being locked, and that the attendant should report in with the proceeds he has collected up to that time.

The speaker-microphone 28 may be hidden or secreted in the operator unit 27 and can be used by management to overhear any conversation taking place in the vicinity of the operator unit 27 and its associated turnstile 4. Presumably, this can be done without the turnstile attendant knowing of this surveillance.

After the turnstile attendant has been requested to report in, or after management has gone personally to the affected turnstile and attendant, an alarm reset push button or PASS reset switch 99 in the controller unit 25 can be actuated to reset and put out the red alarm light R2.

Each controller unit 25 is provided with a resettable of the number of the said objects which have moved through said plurality of gate means during any desired time interval. I

3. A traffic control system characterized in accounter 35 which can be used to obtain a total count of cordance with claim 1, wherein the turnstile uses during any predetermined or desired interval of time.

Each operator unit 27 is provided with a green IN lamp G3 which is lighted when the selector switch S2 is in the IN position, and indicates to the turnstile attendant that his turnstile is now to beoperated for entrance purposes. The operator unit 27 also includes an 7 amber OUT light A3 which is lighted when the operation selector switch S2 is in the OUT position, and indicates to the turnstile attendant that his turnstile is now to be used for exit purposes.

Each turnstile 4 may be provided with a total counter 38, as shown in FIG. 1, which indicates the total number of persons who have passed through that turnstile. At the end of the day, the total of all the counters 38 associated with the plurality of turnstiles 4 can easily and quickly be called in to the central managers office by a man who checks each turnstile counter 38, plugs a microphone into the phone jack 33 provided in the associated operator unit 27, and then proceeds to the next turnstile to perform a similar operation. In this manner, the total on all the turnstiles can be ascertained by management in a manner of minutes.

lclaim:

l. A traffic control system, comprising, in combination:

a plurality of gate means for selectively permitting objects to move therethrough in a first direction or to move therethrough in a second direction, and for selectively preventing objects from moving therethrough;

control means disposed in a location remote from said plurality of gate means and being operatively and electrically, but not mechanically connected to each of said plurality of said gate means; and

said control means being selectively setable at said remote location to any of a plurality of different predetermined positions which control and determine whether or not which of said plurality of gate means will be enabled to permit said objects to move through said gate means in said first direction, or which of said plurality of said gate means will be enabled to permit said objects to move through said gate means in said second direction, or which of said plurality of said gate means will be constrained to prevent said objects from moving through said gate means; and' plurality of visual indicating means each in the vicinity of each of said gate means and each visual indicating means being operatively connected to its associated gate means, each of said plurality of visual indicating means being electrically connected to said control means and operated thereby, said visual indicating means facilitating traffic control by clearly indicating the prevailing enabled or constraining condition of its associating gate means.

2. A traffic control system characterized in accordance with claim 1, wherein said control means includes a resettable counter for obtaining a total count said plurality of gate means are selectively adapted for entrance to or egress from a facility, or being closed to such entrance or egress;

each of said visual indicating means comprising an electric bidirectional sign having a first surface facing away from said facility and a second surface facing toward said facility;

said first surface having at least three sections, one

section of which is adapted to indicate the prevailing entrance capability of its associated gate means, one section of which is adapted to indicate the prevailing egress capability of said associated gate means, and one section of which is adapted to indicate the closed condition of said associated gate means;

said second surface having at least three sections, one section of which is adapted to indicate the prevailing entrance capability of said associated gate means, one section of which is adapted to indicate the prevailing egress capability of said associated gate means, and one section of which is adapted to indicate the closed condition of said associated gate means; and

said control means electrically energizing one of said sections of said first surface and simultaneously electrically energizing one of said sections of said second surface to facilitate traffic control to and from said facility with respect to said associated gate means.

4. A traffic control system comprising, in combina tion:

gate means for selectively permitting objects to move therethrough in a first direction or to move therethrough in a second direction, and for selectively preventing objects from moving therethrough;

control means remote from said gate means and being operatively connected to said gate means;

said control means being selectively settable in any of a plurality of different predetermined positions which control and determine whether or not said gate means will be enabled to permit said objects to move therethrough in said first direction, or to move therethrough in said second direction, or to prevent said objects from moving through said gate means;

an alarm device disposed in the vicinity of said control means; and

a time delay mechanism operatively connected to said gate means and to said alarm device for monitoring how long a period of time transpires for each object to move through said gate means and for activating said alarm device when it appears that one of said objects exceeded a predetermined time interval to move through said gate means.

5. A traffic control system comprising, in combination:

gate means for selectively permitting objects to move therethrough in a first direction or to move therethrough in a second direction, and for selectively preventing objects from moving therethrough;

control means remote from said gate means and being operatively connected to said gate means;

said control means being selectively settable in any of a plurality of different predetermined positions which control and determine whether or not said gate means will be enabled to permit said objects to move therethrough in said first direction, or to move therethrough in said second direction, or to prevent said objects from moving through said gate means; and

sound surveillance means located adjacent vicinity said gate means for transmitting sound occurring in the vicinity of said gate means to the vicinity of said control means to enable a person situated in the vicinity of said control means to hear what is transpiring in the vicinity of the remotely located gate means.

6. A traffic control system comprising, in combinagate means for selectively permitting objects to move therethrough in a first direction or to move therethrough in a second direction, and for selectively preventing objects from moving therethrough;

control means remote from said gate means and being operatively connected to said gate means;

said control means being selectively settable in any of a plurality of different predetermined positions which control and determine whether or not said gate means will be enabled to permit said objects to move therethrough in said first direction, or to move therethrough in said second direction, or to prevent said objects from moving through said gate means;

said gate means comprises an electrically controlled turnstile for selectively permitting persons to pass therethrough in said first or second directions, and for selectively locking said turnstile to prevent persons from passing therethrough;

said control means comprises a remotely located control unit including a three-position switch to set said turnstile in a locked position or to enable said turnstile to rotate in said first direction or said second direction;

a main power source of alternating current for operating the entire traffic control system;

and a direct current power source for automatically I operating the entire traffic control system when a malfunction or failure occurs in said main power source.

7. A trafiic control system comprising, in combinaa plurality of gate means for selectively permitting objects to move therethrough in a first direction or to move therethrough in a second direction, and for selectively preventing objects from moving therethrough;

control means remote from said gate means and being operatively connected to each of said plurality of gate means;

said control means being selectively settable to a plurality of different predetermined positions to control and termine wh'ch fs lu alit of at means will be enable to per r n it sai d object t8 move through said gate means in said first direction, which of said plurality of gate means will be enabled to permit said objects to move through said gate means in said second direction, and which of said plurality of gate means will be constrained to prevent said objects from moving through said gate means;

said plurality of said gate means comprises a plurality of electrically controlled turnstiles each of which is provided with means for transmitting sound to and receiving sound from the vicinity of said control means;

an alarm device disposed adjacent said control means;

a time delay mechanism operatively connected to each of said turnstiles and to said alarm device for monitoring the time elapsing for a particular turnstile to rotate in one of said first or second directions and for energizing said alarm device when the time elapsing for a particular turnstile to rotate in said first or second direction exceeds a pre-set time interval;

a plurality of visual indicating means each operatively connected to a respective one of said turnstiles for indicating the prevailing function or enabled condition of its associated turnstile;

a main power source for operating the entire traffic control system;

an auxiliary direct current power source which automatically operates the entire traffic control system in response to a malfunction or failure in said main power source;

and means operatively connected to each of said turnstiles for obtaining a selective count of the number of times a respective turnstile has been operated in said first or second directions during any desired interval of time. 

1. A traffic control system, comprising, in combination: a plurality of gate means for selectively permitting objects to move therethrough in a first direction or to move therethrough in a second direction, and for selectively preventing objects from moving therethrough; control means disposed in a location remote from said plurality of gate means and being operatively and electrically, but not mEchanically connected to each of said plurality of said gate means; and said control means being selectively setable at said remote location to any of a plurality of different predetermined positions which control and determine whether or not which of said plurality of gate means will be enabled to permit said objects to move through said gate means in said first direction, or which of said plurality of said gate means will be enabled to permit said objects to move through said gate means in said second direction, or which of said plurality of said gate means will be constrained to prevent said objects from moving through said gate means; and a plurality of visual indicating means each in the vicinity of each of said gate means and each visual indicating means being operatively connected to its associated gate means, each of said plurality of visual indicating means being electrically connected to said control means and operated thereby, said visual indicating means facilitating traffic control by clearly indicating the prevailing enabled or constraining condition of its associating gate means.
 2. A traffic control system characterized in accordance with claim 1, wherein said control means includes a resettable counter for obtaining a total count of the number of the said objects which have moved through said plurality of gate means during any desired time interval.
 3. A traffic control system characterized in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of gate means are selectively adapted for entrance to or egress from a facility, or being closed to such entrance or egress; each of said visual indicating means comprising an electric bidirectional sign having a first surface facing away from said facility and a second surface facing toward said facility; said first surface having at least three sections, one section of which is adapted to indicate the prevailing entrance capability of its associated gate means, one section of which is adapted to indicate the prevailing egress capability of said associated gate means, and one section of which is adapted to indicate the closed condition of said associated gate means; said second surface having at least three sections, one section of which is adapted to indicate the prevailing entrance capability of said associated gate means, one section of which is adapted to indicate the prevailing egress capability of said associated gate means, and one section of which is adapted to indicate the closed condition of said associated gate means; and said control means electrically energizing one of said sections of said first surface and simultaneously electrically energizing one of said sections of said second surface to facilitate traffic control to and from said facility with respect to said associated gate means.
 4. A traffic control system comprising, in combination: gate means for selectively permitting objects to move therethrough in a first direction or to move therethrough in a second direction, and for selectively preventing objects from moving therethrough; control means remote from said gate means and being operatively connected to said gate means; said control means being selectively settable in any of a plurality of different predetermined positions which control and determine whether or not said gate means will be enabled to permit said objects to move therethrough in said first direction, or to move therethrough in said second direction, or to prevent said objects from moving through said gate means; an alarm device disposed in the vicinity of said control means; and a time delay mechanism operatively connected to said gate means and to said alarm device for monitoring how long a period of time transpires for each object to move through said gate means and for activating said alarm device when it appears that one of said objects exceeded a predetermined time interval to move through said gate means.
 5. A traffic control system comprising, in combinatiOn: gate means for selectively permitting objects to move therethrough in a first direction or to move therethrough in a second direction, and for selectively preventing objects from moving therethrough; control means remote from said gate means and being operatively connected to said gate means; said control means being selectively settable in any of a plurality of different predetermined positions which control and determine whether or not said gate means will be enabled to permit said objects to move therethrough in said first direction, or to move therethrough in said second direction, or to prevent said objects from moving through said gate means; and sound surveillance means located adjacent vicinity said gate means for transmitting sound occurring in the vicinity of said gate means to the vicinity of said control means to enable a person situated in the vicinity of said control means to hear what is transpiring in the vicinity of the remotely located gate means.
 6. A traffic control system comprising, in combination: gate means for selectively permitting objects to move therethrough in a first direction or to move therethrough in a second direction, and for selectively preventing objects from moving therethrough; control means remote from said gate means and being operatively connected to said gate means; said control means being selectively settable in any of a plurality of different predetermined positions which control and determine whether or not said gate means will be enabled to permit said objects to move therethrough in said first direction, or to move therethrough in said second direction, or to prevent said objects from moving through said gate means; said gate means comprises an electrically controlled turnstile for selectively permitting persons to pass therethrough in said first or second directions, and for selectively locking said turnstile to prevent persons from passing therethrough; said control means comprises a remotely located control unit including a three-position switch to set said turnstile in a locked position or to enable said turnstile to rotate in said first direction or said second direction; a main power source of alternating current for operating the entire traffic control system; and a direct current power source for automatically operating the entire traffic control system when a malfunction or failure occurs in said main power source.
 7. A traffic control system comprising, in combination: a plurality of gate means for selectively permitting objects to move therethrough in a first direction or to move therethrough in a second direction, and for selectively preventing objects from moving therethrough; control means remote from said gate means and being operatively connected to each of said plurality of gate means; said control means being selectively settable to a plurality of different predetermined positions to control and determine which of said plurality of gate means will be enabled to permit said objects to move through said gate means in said first direction, which of said plurality of gate means will be enabled to permit said objects to move through said gate means in said second direction, and which of said plurality of gate means will be constrained to prevent said objects from moving through said gate means; said plurality of said gate means comprises a plurality of electrically controlled turnstiles each of which is provided with means for transmitting sound to and receiving sound from the vicinity of said control means; an alarm device disposed adjacent said control means; a time delay mechanism operatively connected to each of said turnstiles and to said alarm device for monitoring the time elapsing for a particular turnstile to rotate in one of said first or second directions and for energizing said alarm device when the time elapsing for a particular turnstile to rotate in said first or second direction exceeds a pre-set time interval; a plurality of visual indicating means each operatively connected to a respective one of said turnstiles for indicating the prevailing function or enabled condition of its associated turnstile; a main power source for operating the entire traffic control system; an auxiliary direct current power source which automatically operates the entire traffic control system in response to a malfunction or failure in said main power source; and means operatively connected to each of said turnstiles for obtaining a selective count of the number of times a respective turnstile has been operated in said first or second directions during any desired interval of time. 